LAS VEGAS (June 24, 2009) – The nominees for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer global fan vote were announced today by Greatest Ever Enterprises. On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com will allow boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, Heavyweight, Light heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Bantamweight, Featherweight and Flyweight, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever”..
A nominations committee of boxing experts lead the debate and selection of the boxers. The announcement of the process was twice delayed as the jury debated the various merits of the fighters, their records and achievements. Categories were set at 10 nominees per division, with 12 being nominated for the blue-ribbon category of Heavyweight.
The nominations committee was comprised of Thomas Hauser (boxing journalist and award-winning Muhammad Ali biographer), Al Bernstein (broadcaster and boxing analyst), Colin Hart (UK’s leading boxing reporter), Jean-Philippe Lustyk (broadcaster and head of boxing for pan-European sports channel Eurosport) and Ron Borges (boxing journalist and Hall of Fame committee member).
JURY NOTES
The categories above are the eight original weight categories. Strawweights have been included in the Flyweight category. Super Middleweight has been included in Light Heavyweight (hence Joe Calzaghe’s inclusion in that category rather than Middleweight). Many fighters fought and won titles at a number of different weights. As far as possible they have been nominated in the division that they made their biggest impact. Fighters have not been nominated on the basis of whether they would beat another fighter in that division, though this is of course a consideration. More important has been their overall record, who they fought at the time and the impact they made on the boxing world, and indeed the world around them.
Now the debate is open to the public.
JURY COMMENTS
The debate amongst the judges was passionate, and sometime furious, concerning the nominations of the individual fighters. While the fighter nominations in many instances were unanimous, there was significant disagreement in some key areas that lead to more discussion and extra balloting. The final nominees were selected by majority decision.
“Just by our opinions it’s obvious this will be a lot of fun. The panel has had quite a spirited debate on this – I think that’s foreshadowing of what’s to come with the public,” said Al Bernstein.
“How you measure greatness is not just a question of skills and records,” said Jean Philippe Lustyk. “There is more to being a great fighter. Similarly this is about the world and it is not just about the great North American fighters. We must remember the geographical spread and recognise the other champion fighters from around the world. This is part of boxing’s greatness.”
Ron Borges commented : “This was tough. Some good names didn’t make it. Nothing stirs up debates faster than my guy was better than your guy. There are actually people in the States who believe Roy Jones, Jr. was better than Sugar Ray Robinson. Ugh!!! John L Sullivan was a controversial heavyweight nominee. I had him in my picks originally and then took him off, then put him back on and took him off. I then thought again but took him off. After an appeal from another jury member I decided I had no quarrel with putting him back on. Then I decided he doesn’t belong on a “greatest” list unless we’re talking about greatest street fighter. The guy could not box. So I took him off my list a 4th time! The guy has staying power because he made the final cut and got nominated.”
“I don’t think that there are any terrible omissions. But there was, and will remain, disagreement among the jurors,” said Thomas Hauser.
GREATEST EVER WEEKEND OF EVENTS
Boxing fans attending the festivities will be able to celebrate, up close and personal, the achievements of the World’s Greater Ever Boxers. A three-day boxing spectacular is planned October 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas, commencing that Friday with an official welcome reception and official weigh in for the following evening’s professional boxing show, presented by Sterling Promotions, and featuring Team USA versus Team Europe, capped by an exclusive after party. The event culminates Sunday with The Greater Ever black-tie awards dinner, featuring some of the greatest boxers ever, as well as world-class entertainment, and then an exclusive after party.
The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer. RBF assists retired professional boxers in the transition from their days in the ring to dignified retirement, helping those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and effects of pugilistic dementia.
Four ticket packages are on sale for the Oct. 2-4 weekend’s events through agents at the following numbers: North America – The Sports Alliance (914.941.3366) Smart Ticket Solutions (847.917.8497); United Kingdom and Europe – Rock Solid Events (UK: 0845 0945 606, Outside UK: +44 845 0945 606); Australasia – Events Worldwide Travel Group (Australia: 1300 788 666, Outside Australia: +61 3 5989 7666).
The event-only packages are as follows (all prices USD): Super VIP ($2,500), Platinum ($1,900), VIP ($1,400) and Gold ($1,115). The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number or premiums in addition to those detailed in the Gold (welcome function, weigh-in, Greatest Ever poker tournament, exclusive Paris Las Vegas gaming area, exclusive memorabilia, movie screenings, access to Greatest Ever dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, media and legends signings, general seating for the fights and at the awards dinner). Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages.
The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer promotion
LAS VEGAS (June 22, 2009) – The age-old question about who the all-time greatest boxers are will soon be answered thanks to The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer promotion, presented by Greatest Ever Enterprises. Muhammad Ali was the self-proclaimed Greatest. Was it really Ali or Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, or Henry Armstrong? How about modern day boxers such as Joe Calzaghe, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. or Manny Pacquiao? On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to weigh in on the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes from, heavyweight to flyweight, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever”.
A nominations committee of boxing experts leads the debate and selection of the boxers. Upon reading a consensus, the nominated boxers will be put forward to a global public vote.
The nominations committee is comprised of Thomas Hauser (boxing journalist and award winning Muhammad Ali biographer), Al Bernstein (broadcaster and boxing analyst), Colin Hart (UK’s leading boxing reporter), Jean-Philippe Lustyk (head of boxing for pan-European sports channel Eurosport) and Ron Borges (boxing journalist and Hall of Fame committee member).
“We’re asking ourselves what it means for a fighter to be regarded as ‘great’,” said Thomas Hauser. “In making my decisions, I’m looking at each fighter’s record, his record against other elite fighters, and his impact on the sport. Other jurors might have different criteria or use the same criteria with different results. Many outstanding fighters won’t be on the final nominations list. We expect discussion and debate. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?”
Legendary TV presenter Al Bernstein and host of the Greatest Ever Awards night, proclaims, “I am delighted to be a part of this. We now live in an age where this kind of public participation and debate is possible. For the first time we are going to know what boxing fans around the world really think. It will be fascinating to see how they weigh-in with their votes. This program is a celebration of our sport and our great fighters. It is an appropriate time to remember them and what they have achieved.”
Judging is expected to be complete and the nominees’ names released on Wednesday June 24th.
HOLMES, DURAN and HEARNS CONFIRM ATTENDANCE
World Boxing legends Larry Holmes, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns are the first fighters to confirm they will be in Las Vegas for the Greatest Ever weekend of events. All nominated fighters will be invited to attend once the nominees have been released by the nominations committee.
“This is going to be a great weekend,” said former world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. “I don’t know if I have been nominated yet but I fully expect to be. My record stands up to anyone’s and you have to look at the quality of the guys I fought. I think the fight publically recognizes that I am one of the ‘Greatest Ever’ and I hope they will vote for me. But more importantly, this is a celebration of all our achievements and the sport of boxing.”
“There is no sport tougher than boxing and there is no sport with so many globally known athletes. I want to be in the same place with all these other great fighters. This isn’t going to happen again. This is special and we realize that.”